Topic: Help/Advice on buying a used entry luxury car!

[acidreign]

Hi all,

I'm in the market to buy a car, around the $27k range before taxes. I've been doing some research, and I've tried a 2008 G37S coupe, which I love.

What I like about the G37S is the look, power, toys, cabin ergonomics, handling, and perceived Japanese reliability. That said, 2 door and RWD may not be the most "practical". Please note that whatever car I get, I'll be purchasing snow tires.

Are there any other entry luxury or luxury cars I should take a look at?

The Acuras seem kind of boring. I've thought about an IS but I've heard that the reliability for them aren't that good, and the ES is also boring. I have considered an A4 to chip. The S4 would be nice, but they're at least $5k above my limit. I know the various BMWs have great handling, but I'm not so sure on maintenance, and in my mind, the interiors are too sparse and don't really have the toys (ditto for Audi). Not sure about Mercedes, haven't given them much thought.

All suggestions are welcome!

[CanuckG35]

If you don't think the G37 Coupe will meet your practical needs, what about a G37 Sedan?  The sedans are quicker anyways.   

[tpl]

Hmmmm    To me luxury is not equal to toys. 

Anyway   what about a CTS     performance AND toys.  Or a Lexus sedan ( see Rrocket's thread on the one he found for IQ)  Or an Infiniti M class     

[Fobroader]

I havent driven the new G37, but the old G35 with the 6spd manual was by far the most fun in that class of cars, made all the right noises, went like a scalded cheetah, handled well and had a very nice interior. Cant imagine the new one is worse?!?!?! You can get a G37X, its got all wheel drive, so with snow tires it will be good year round. But a 330Xi isnt exactly a bad car either 

Edit-I was talking about the sedan in both cases.

[sailor723]

If you like the Infiniti look and feel why not a G37x sedan? That would seem to solve both the two door and RWD issues.I think that given your price point some of the CPO'd German stuff may be a little dear and if you are going preowned on those I think you'd want the warranty.

[safristi]

Hmmmm    To me luxury is not equal to toys. 

Anyway   what about a CTS     performance AND toys.  Or a Lexus sedan ( see Rrocket's thread on the one he found for IQ)  Or an Infiniti M class     

...

  Rrocket has an IQ ...he's pimped more LuxMobiles from olde ladies and Greek Magnates down on their luck...maybe he'll sell U his "pristine".. AUDI TT.....


 wot's yer definition of LUXURY...most of the usual suspects have been trotted out...widen your net and drive them    Audi 6....Older Jag.....Volvo S60....Mercs  bimmers  U know the drill..........

[rrocket]

Lexus IS aren't reliable?  Where's that coming from?  My IS350 was stone reliable...it had a single recall for valve springs.  I sold my IS350 with 200,000kms.  And those were not always gentle KMs.  Ditto our 2002 IS300.  We still have it.  And it's been dead reliable.  240,000kms on it.  Never in for unscheduled service.  And yes..the ES350 is boring.

[johngenx]

IS series Lexus are deadly reliable and the IS350 is often missed as a true performance sedan.  It's very comfortable, shockingly quick, and despite being jammed packed with technology (the hybrid DI injection system is awesome) it's one of the most reliable luxury cars made.

If I were shopping the segment, the G37X (AWD) and IS350 would be near the top of the list.

[Fobroader]

Wasnt the IS300 the one with N/A 2JZ Supra motor??? If so....the only thing more reliable than that would be a boulder or an anvil.

[CanuckG35]

From strictly a reliability standpoint, I'd have zero issues purchasing an IS......or virtually any other Lexus for that matter. 

[rrocket]

Wasnt the IS300 the one with N/A 2JZ Supra motor??? If so....the only thing more reliable than that would be a boulder or an anvil.

You are correct, sir.  It is the 2JZ-GE with VVti.  The Supra was a 2JZ-GTE..with no VVti.

[Vanstar]

Hi all,

I'm in the market to buy a car, around the $27k range before taxes. I've been doing some research, and I've tried a 2008 G37S coupe, which I love.

What I like about the G37S is the look, power, toys, cabin ergonomics, handling, and perceived Japanese reliability. That said, 2 door and RWD may not be the most "practical". Please note that whatever car I get, I'll be purchasing snow tires.

Are there any other entry luxury or luxury cars I should take a look at?

The Acuras seem kind of boring. I've thought about an IS but I've heard that the reliability for them aren't that good, and the ES is also boring. I have considered an A4 to chip. The S4 would be nice, but they're at least $5k above my limit. I know the various BMWs have great handling, but I'm not so sure on maintenance, and in my mind, the interiors are too sparse and don't really have the toys (ditto for Audi). Not sure about Mercedes, haven't given them much thought.

All suggestions are welcome!

Have a look at the previous generation Acura TL, 2004-2008. I have a 2008 and it does everything quite well and has been very reliable. It has plenty of power, handles well and is good in snow. Service costs are very reasonable and the car is comfortable to drive.

The really good thing about a TL is it is such a sleeper. It attracts no attention, which is good for 20 km/h at a speed trap.

[rrocket]

^^FWD..bleh!   

[CanuckG35]

Hi all,

I'm in the market to buy a car, around the $27k range before taxes. I've been doing some research, and I've tried a 2008 G37S coupe, which I love.

What I like about the G37S is the look, power, toys, cabin ergonomics, handling, and perceived Japanese reliability. That said, 2 door and RWD may not be the most "practical". Please note that whatever car I get, I'll be purchasing snow tires.

Are there any other entry luxury or luxury cars I should take a look at?

The Acuras seem kind of boring. I've thought about an IS but I've heard that the reliability for them aren't that good, and the ES is also boring. I have considered an A4 to chip. The S4 would be nice, but they're at least $5k above my limit. I know the various BMWs have great handling, but I'm not so sure on maintenance, and in my mind, the interiors are too sparse and don't really have the toys (ditto for Audi). Not sure about Mercedes, haven't given them much thought.

All suggestions are welcome!

Have a look at the previous generation Acura TL, 2004-2008. I have a 2008 and it does everything quite well and has been very reliable. It has plenty of power, handles well and is good in snow. Service costs are very reasonable and the car is comfortable to drive.

The really good thing about a TL is it is such a sleeper. It attracts no attention, which is good for 20 km/h at a speed trap.

I love the previous gen TL.  I'd still take a G over it due to the RWD, but a Type S would still be a fantastic choice and handles extremely well. 

[Julie]

If you like the Infiniti look and feel why not a G37x sedan? That would seem to solve both the two door and RWD issues.I think that given your price point some of the CPO'd German stuff may be a little dear and if you are going preowned on those I think you'd want the warranty.

+ 1

[rrocket]

Acura TSX is also a great car (if you don't mind FWD)

[Sir Osis of Liver]

IS350 if you want to minimize potential headaches. The IS has been very good, the GS has had a few reliability issues. Infiniti G and M have been pretty good too. Both are still far more reliable than equivalent Euros, though the E class has stepped it up since previous versions.

I found one in your price range.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lexus-/400270899772?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5d32013a3c

[rrocket]

IS350 if you want to minimize potential headaches. The IS has been very good, the GS has had a few reliability issues. Infiniti G and M have been pretty good too. Both are still far more reliable than equivalent Euros, though the E class has stepped it up since previous versions.

Yea, it was the GS AWD model that brought the score down.

[mmret]

I've thought about an IS but I've heard that the reliability for them aren't that good

I'm pretty sure the IS is one of the most dead reliable cars out there.

[Julie]

IS350 if you want to minimize potential headaches. The IS has been very good, the GS has had a few reliability issues. Infiniti G and M have been pretty good too. Both are still far more reliable than equivalent Euros, though the E class has stepped it up since previous versions.

I found one in your price range.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lexus-/400270899772?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5d32013a3c

Well if there's an IS350 in his price range, I would take that.